Focus:

Today's Verse:

kjv@Luke:12:1@ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

kjv@Luke:12:2@ For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

kjv@Luke:12:3@ Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

kjv@Luke:12:4@ And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

kjv@Luke:12:5@ But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

kjv@Luke:12:6@ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

kjv@Luke:12:7@ But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

kjv@Luke:12:8@ Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

kjv@Luke:12:9@ But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

kjv@Luke:12:10@ And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

kjv@Luke:12:11@ And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

kjv@Luke:12:12@ For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Notes:

The fear of man is for that which is discernible and immediate. It is linked by implication with hypocrisy in this case perhaps suggesting that the two may be strongly at play in the Pharisee. We know that many within the ranks were sympathetic to Jesus but for fear of being kicked out of the synagogue held their peace. We know that the group wanted to lay hold of Jesus but for fear of the crowds did not until the opportunity to do it secretly was handed them. We sense the pressure that they are each under from all sides and wonder if the rush to appease all matters hasn't contributed (amplified) their hollow and feigned ambitions. None are as they appear even as lamented by the previous long list of woes. All of this, plus their fermented doctrine, works as an acidic to puff and hollow religion/faith as a whole.

The old loaf or testament itself is decaying and become inedible, thus good for nothing unless to be put in three small purposeful measures into the new loaf. To hold on to the old as the entirety of one's faith as the Pharisee is to go down with the sinking ship, to end up with the waste in the baker's bin. To hold to the old, especially as the hypocritical Pharisee makes of it is to deny (attempt) the baker his marvelous craft, to put the loaf above the baker; it is most fermented in deed. The problem for us is that the Pharisee and those like him are often in positions able and focused on making the fearful of them to participate in their vain schemes rather than to confess as proper the Lord. The problem for them is that they are but a purposeful step in the mastery of the baker.

Unleavened loafs were for the ceremonial offerings made by fire pointing to the intercession/sanctification and atonement made by our Lord. Certainly they should be considered without any outside influence or corruption in the least as it is Him and His work. Leavened bread ceremonially is for the thanks and peace offerings that symbolizes the kingdom/body of believers like experience of worship/obedience and praise; not perfect in and of itself, not uninfluenced by our past but having been bettered (stood in for) and redeemed by the unleavened work of Christ on our behalf to our joyous salvation. To beware of is to keep separate and to not enlist oneself to the self exalting extreme of the one but, properly place and execute the self denying extreme of the other.

Key Messages:

Declaring Certainty

kjv@Revelation:15:4@ Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

kjv@Hebrews:4:1@ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

kjv@Romans:10:10@ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

kjv@1Peter:3:14@ But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

kjv@1John:4:18@ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

kjv@Hebrews:13:6@ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.